HARARE, Zimbabwe, July 27, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Stand-in coach VVS Laxman praised 
the growing maturity of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, after the 15-year-old's 81 off 
49 balls helped India complete a Twenty20 series sweep against Zimbabwe.

Sooryavanshi's second half-century in four days steered India to 192-5 before 
Zimbabwe were restricted to 157-7 to complete a 3-0 series win on Sunday.

"Very mature. And that's what I really appreciate about Vaibhav," said 
Laxman.

Sooryavanshi tempered his natural attacking instincts in an innings 
containing eight fours and four sixes on a sluggish surface.

"With each and every experience, each and every match, he understands, he 
assesses and he gets better," said Laxman, who was in temporary charge after 
Gautam Gambhir sat out the Zimbabwe tour.

"I think he does a lot of reviews of each and every practice session, not 
only matches," Laxman said.

Sooryavanshi rose to prominence with a string of fearless performances for 
Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League,

Against England earlier this month he became the youngest player to represent 
India.

His first taste of international cricket proved challenging, however, with 
the teenager managing 42 runs in three innings as India suffered a 4-0 series 
defeat in England, following a 2-0 loss in Ireland.

Sooryavanshi bounced back in Zimbabwe, helping India dominate a side ranked 
10 places below them.

"I'm not surprised by the way this series has gone," Laxman said before again 
talking about Sooryavanshi.

"He was disappointed not to get a hundred, but we told him it's not going to 
be the first or the last opportunity he'll get.

"He's got a long career ahead, and he has the attitude and mindset to improve 
every day."